It seems impossible that two healthy female politicians could have both died from a cerebral hemorrhage within days of each other. The police hire Blue McCarron and Roxie Bouchie as consultants. The two women, who are involved professionally and personally, work with evangelical preachers, former convicts, and paintball playing plastic surgeons in order to find this unorthodox killer.
The Last Blue Plate Special: Blue McCarron Series, Book 2
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
A funny, idiosyncratic cast of characters and a cunningly developed series of murders are the highlights in an otherwise middling sequel to 1998's Blue, which introduced social psychologist and amateur shamus Blue McCarron. Here Blue and her foxy lover, prison psychiatrist Roxie Bouchie, join detective Wes Rathbone and his wife, Annie, and Blue's Doberman, Bront?, in nosing through San Diego and the surrounding desert in search of the fanatic who is murdering prominent local female politicians. The murderer, who leaves a Blue Willow china plate as a calling card after each killing, is somehow causing women who have had plastic surgery at a posh clinic where the blue plates are part of the d?cor to suffer fatal strokes. Who hates successful women enough to commit wanton murder? Is it one of the members of the clinic's staff? Is it a political enemy? Or could it be a random religious fanatic who leaves messages from "The Sword in Heaven" (Isaiah 34) for Blue and the cops after the murders? Unfortunately, a buildup that promises a racy, risqu?, zany story never really pays off. Some readers will applaud the feminist political sentiments, but others will find the novel ultimately as flat and dry as the desert sand. (Mar. 7) Forecast: Padgett, author of the Bo Bradley series (Strawgirl), has a strong following among feminist mystery fans, but this so-so effort is unlikely to help her win the broader audience her publisher is seeking with its concerted marketing and promotion campaign.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
When two prominent female politicians die in San Diego of cerebral hemorrhages within days of each other, social psychologist Blue McCarron knows that their deaths are a statistical impossibilityDthey simply cannot be from natural causes. Within hours, a female evangelist almost dies, and threats from a religious fanatic, illustrated with blue willow plates, tie the three victims together. Blue and her lover, Roxanne, a criminal psychiatrist, are hired by the police as consultants and trace the three women to a posh plastic surgery clinic. As Blue and Rox investigate the clinic, the killer turns his attention on Blue, a strong, nontraditional woman who offends his ultraconservative religious beliefs. When Blue finds a blue willow plate on the doorstep of her isolated desert home, she knows the hunt has become a deadly game and that the unknown killer has every advantage. This second mystery featuring Blue McCarron (following Blue, LJ 10/1/98) is full of unpredictable turns and is totally enthralling. Blue and Rox are funny and sweet, brave yet scared, as they navigate their new relationship amid the terrifying hunt for a serial killer. Highly recommended for public libraries.DKaren Anderson, Quarles & Brady/Streich Lang, Phoenix
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
An intriguing follow-up to "Blue," this mystery focuses on a serial killer who seems to be targeting powerful women in the community who have risen "above their place". Clues draw Blue to a cosmetic surgeon and his staff, all of whom become suspects. The author juggles such disparate topics as child abuse, antique plates, social psychology, line dancing, and the Atkins diet to produce a fascinating read.
Also, it's nice not to have the tiresome "amateur woman detective falls in love with handsome cop storyline" for once.
Thank you, AP.
Format:Hardcover
Prominent women politicians are dying mysteriously. An anonymous person claims that these are murders meant to stop women from acting like men. Statistics suggest that something is rotten in Denmark. What's going on?
Before going further, let me mention that this book contains lurid details of sexual misbehavior by men towards women. If such things upset you, this book may not be the right one for you. The book also refers to lesbian sexual relations, but leaves out any details that would offend sensitive readers.
The book evolves from the perspective of Dr. Emily "Blue" McCarron, who is a social psychologist. That field allows you to determine the probabilities of events occurring, and provides an interesting perspective on how to fight crime. Normally, she employs this skill to help lawyers prepare for jury trials. Her partner in this consulting business is Dr. Roxanne Bouchie, a forensic psychologist who practices at a local prison. The two women have a loving relationship, and in all other ways the story builds on the theme that opposites attract. In their unconventional lives, they seek out honesty, commitment, and caring that makes them very appealing characters.
The set-up of the book gets you into the depths of the story quickly, and prepares you for a gradual peeling of the onion to first determine if there has been a crime . . . and if so, how was it accomplished? I will not provide any more details because they would only reduce your enjoyment of this very original plot.
Seldom does the mystery genre develop a major new twist. The Last Blue Plate Special combines more new elements into a mystery than any other one I can recall reading. If books were rated only on originality, this one would exceed five stars. On the other hand, the desire to cover new territory sometimes takes the book into realms that are too much of a stretch, which weakens its appeal. Readers who are sensitive to details will wonder why so many dangerous, and unpleasant impulsive actions are taken by the characters. Clearly, Ms. Padgett has overdone her points unnecessarily in the process. Despite the improbabilities, you will feel intellectually and emotionally rewarded by this book in ways that most other mysteries do not provide.
The Last Blue Plate Special considers the nature of human love, commitment, responsibility, and caring in an extraordinary number of dimensions. Readers are left to draw their own conclusions, but the book suggests that helping without harm is the core of what all should seek. The book also explores the connection between fundamentalist religion, sexual urges, and morality. "We are our brother's keeper" is an important theme for this book.
With all of this richness of material, The Last Blue Plate Special also delivers a deliciously complex, unusual mystery about a serial killer. The mystery develops around the hub of psychology, medicine, and symbolism in a very satisfying way. Generous clues are scattered in all directions, allowing you the possibility of solving the mystery from anyone of several clues. Even the red herrings are built in so that they help establish the trail to the killer.
After you finish enjoying this wonderful book, I suggest that you think about how your loving relationships can be more rewarding for those you love.
Share your feelings in ways that build a finer life for those you love!
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I can suspend disbelief as well as anyone, but I find it very hard to believe that anyone with a brain would live in the desert with no running water. I also found it impossible to believe a scene where Blue lets a friend make her an outfit out of smelly used clothes. And the police hiring her just because she found some statistics that didn't match??? The book didn't work for me.
Want to see more reviews on this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 8 reviews
3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Smart, Well Paced, Enjoyable, and Intelligent
Abigail Padgett's "The Last Blue Plate Special" features Blue McCarron and her friend/lover Roxanne Bouchie, respectively a social psychologist and a psychiatrist. Read more
Published on Jun 6 2001 by Allen Smalling
4.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the First Outing
This is the second outing for social psychologist Blue McCarran. As she works on a woman's political campaign, prominent San Diego women begin to die - apparently of massive... Read more
Published on April 24 2001 by P. Bigelow
5.0 out of 5 stars
A good relatinship drama and mystery
African-American prison psychiatrist Roxie Bouchie lives and works in California. While Roxie depends on her intellect to guide her, her partner and lover, the highly respected... Read more
Published on Feb 15 2001 by Harriet Klausner
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
